PCJ – Chapter 372 Hidden Dangers

Zhang Jiaohua wiped the sweat from his forehead and shook his head, “I think I’ll just go home for lunch. Otherwise, my mom will come and pull my ears again.”

Liu Qiaoye had become quite proficient at ear-pulling, leaving Zhang Jiaohua speechless.

“By the way, Jiaohua, where are you going for middle school? I’m planning to follow you,” Mute asked.

“I don’t know yet. My dad and mom want me to go to County No. 1 Middle School, and Uncle Luo said I could stay at his house. But I’d rather go to Yidushui Middle School. It’s more comfortable living at home,” Zhang Jiaohua said, feeling torn. Although life in Meizi’ao wasn’t as free as being a bird, he still had a lot of freedom. Deep down, he also felt like there was something here in Meizi’ao that he needed to protect.

As he grew older, Zhang Jiaohua rarely had that strange dream anymore. He still didn’t know what connection he had with Chengdao or what had happened to the old Taoist master. He didn’t even know what the future held for Chengdao. Whether it was just a dream or something that actually happened, Chengdao, the old Taoist master, and the other senior brothers from the dream seemed to have long been buried by the dust of time.

“But the teaching standards at County No. 1 Middle School are way better than at Yidushui. The teaching buildings at County No. 1 are brand-new, unlike our rundown Yidushui Middle School,” Zhang Runtian said.

“They even have a gymnasium! Teacher He said their basketball court has wooden floors, unlike the broken, shabby playground at Yidushui,” Mute added, hoping to go to the County No. 1 Middle School’s junior high because of his basketball dreams. He knew that if he stayed at Yidushui, a rural school, his future might end up like most people in Meizi’ao—working in the rice fields or moving to Guangdong for work.

Not many people from Meizi’ao went out to work—mostly young people who wanted to see the world. Mute didn’t want to end up like them, but without Zhang Jiaohua going to County No. 1, it would be hard for him to get in with his family’s financial situation and his academic performance.

Zhang Jiaohua’s grades were good enough to get into any school in Xintian County, and with Luo Changjun, the deputy county secretary and county mayor, supporting him, he could easily get into any middle school. But Zhang Jiaohua only wanted to stay in Meizi’ao, so his goal was Yidushui Middle School.

Yidushui Middle School, if not the worst in the county, was definitely far from being a top school.

When Zhang Jiaohua got home, he was greeted by the familiar conversation with Liu Qiaoye.

“Jiaohua, after thinking it over, I still think it’s better for you to go to a middle school in the county. If you miss home, we can all move to the county town. The tea factory is already set to take over the county tea factory’s facilities. Uncle Zhao said that our Meizi’ao Tea Factory is growing, but Meizi’ao is just too small. Now that the county tea factory has closed, the county wants us to take over. Uncle Zhao and the others think it’s a great time to expand the tea factory. Even though we focus on high-end products, our production capacity is just too low. With the domestic and international markets expanding, production has become a bottleneck. Your dad spends more time in the county than at home now. If you didn’t insist on staying in Meizi’ao, I would’ve moved to the county long ago,” Liu Qiaoye expressed her stance.

“But if I go to the county, what about Leopard and the others?” Zhang Jiaohua frowned.

“They don’t need you to take care of them. When have you ever fed them? Besides, you’ll have to leave for school one day anyway. You can’t take them all with you,” Liu Qiaoye chuckled.

The mountain leopard lay quietly beside Zhang Jiaohua, wagging its tail when it saw him looking. The little fat monkey had grown into a big fat monkey, and its small cloth pouch had been replaced by a green military satchel filled with its favorite snacks. Its bad habit of loving food hadn’t changed. When it saw Zhang Jiaohua looking at it, it quickly grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and handed them over.

Zhang Jiaohua happily took the sunflower seeds from the fat monkey’s paw and rubbed its head playfully with his other hand.

“It’s too early to decide. If you want to go to the county, then go. I’ve been staying here by myself since I was seven. I’m twelve now; I won’t starve,” Zhang Jiaohua said, slightly annoyed by the topic.

At the rebellious age of twelve, Zhang Jiaohua, like many other boys his age, was starting to show signs of defiance.

“Watch it, kid! Or I’ll pull your ears again. You keep bringing that up every time we talk about school. After all these years, you’re still holding a grudge?” Liu Qiaoye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Mom, isn’t Meizi’ao going to be developed for tourism? Now that the road’s built, even big trucks can drive in. If this place turns into a scenic spot, it’ll be better than the county town, right?” Zhang Jiaohua quickly changed the subject.

“Developing a scenic spot isn’t that easy,” Liu Qiaoye rolled her eyes at him.

But Luo Changjun really did have plans to turn Meizi’ao into a tourist destination. With a world-class brand like Biyu Xianyin and Meizi’ao’s stunning natural scenery, there was real potential for it.

The next day after school, Zhang Jiaohua noticed that Luo Changjun was sitting with Zhang Youping, drinking tea.

“We need to build up our tea culture in Xintian County. It’ll become a key cultural feature for tourism development. As a tourist destination, we need more than just beautiful scenery. There are countless scenic places in China, but only a few become famous. I believe Xintian County has the potential to be a tourism hotspot. We have a world-class brand like Biyu Xianyin, and with over 100,000 acres of tea fields, each one is a beautiful spot on its own… Oh, Jiaohua, come sit with us,” Luo Changjun called when he saw him.

Zhang Jiaohua put down his schoolbag and walked over, “Uncle Luo.”

“What are your thoughts about school?” Luo Changjun asked.

Zhang Jiaohua glanced at Liu Qiaoye, who was busy in the kitchen, and replied, “I still plan to attend Yidushui Middle School.”

Zhang Youping frowned, “Jiaohua, the conditions at County No. 1 are much better than Yidushui. How about I take you to see it tomorrow?”

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head, “I know County No. 1 is better, but I still want to go to Yidushui.”

“You can’t go back home every day if you go to Yidushui. The mountain road is more than ten kilometers, and it’ll take you at least an hour by bike. You’ll have to board at school. So what’s the difference between going there and going to County No. 1?” Zhang Youping frowned again.

“I’m just used to it,” Zhang Jiaohua insisted.

“This isn’t a rush. Take your time to think it over, Jiaohua. Let me tell you about something else,” Luo Changjun quickly changed the subject.

“About what?” Zhang Jiaohua was curious. He liked it when adults treated him as an equal instead of a child.

“Meishan culture is going to be a key part of Xintian County’s tourism industry. I want to organize a Meishan Culture Research Association, bringing together people like you—Meishan practitioners—so you can exchange ideas and integrate Meishan culture into tourism. Since you’re a genuine Meishan practitioner, I’d like to hear your thoughts,” Luo Changjun asked, looking at Zhang Jiaohua.

“That sounds good, but I’m not really a genuine Meishan practitioner. Unlike others, I don’t have a clear lineage. To this day, I’m still not sure if the old Taoist master I dreamt of was even a Meishan practitioner,” Zhang Jiaohua replied, shaking his head.

His answer left Luo Changjun slightly disappointed.

Nevertheless, the tourism development in Xintian County continued in full swing, and the Meishan Culture Research Association was promoted by the county government.

Yet Zhang Jiaohua remained uneasy about one thing—Lu’o Pond. He had never dared to explore it, and while it had been peaceful over the years, Zhang Jiaohua knew that as long as Lu’o Pond existed, there was always a lurking danger.